Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture’s privileged seaside location blended with its diverse underwater terrain has vaulted the destination to the top of the list of best sea-to-table cuisine around the world. Its prized catches attract demand from travelers around the globe, most significantly Noduguro, one of its most sought-after fish known to rival the rich taste of fatty tuna is one of the premiere tasting experiences locally.
Despite the robust demand, one of Ishikawa’s core tenets remains sustainability, and its disciplined fishermen adhere to a tightly managed schedule to prevent overfishing, thus preserving the quality and variety of its available seafood. And, visitors feel its worth the wait, whereas many foodies opt to travel in autumn, which is peak season locally due to its abundance of freshly harvested crabs paired with sake, framed by vibrant foliage.
One of its most in-demand experiences is an immersive fishing journey with the locals. It begins in Kanazawa City, the gateway to the sea set between cold and warm currents, where travelers can get up close to the fishermen returning from their morning journeys to watch them unload their fresh bounties that will be put to auction later in the day. Snow crab, sweet shrimp, and a variety of catches move swiftly from hand to hand in a coordinated orchestra, some ending in the guest’s hands to be delivered to a local sushi eatery where it is prepared immediately for a tasting experience.
Private cooking classes in Kanazawa have also become immensely popular, as the region is also famous for its fresh locally grown produce, traditional crafting history and deeply rooted samurai culture. These journeys begin at Omicho Market, the hub of Kanazawa’s food culture as one explores colorful stalls to learn how to spot the freshest ingredients just like the professionals do. Then, its onward to the private kitchen of a local chef to learn how to create local specialties whilst learning about the history of the dishes, many of which will be served in some of the region’s finest and most impressive lacquerware.
Top eateries known for extreme high quality caches include Crafeat with its traditional Japanese menu and Michelin 2-starred Otomezushi.
For more information, please visit www.ishikawatravel.jp/en
@visitishikawa
